Founded in 1720 by Edme Champy, the Maison Champy
(formerly Champy Père et Cie) was the first ever Wine House
established in Burgundy - documents still exist recording the first
exports to Belgium shortly after the creation of the company. Some of
the cellars owned by the company in Beaune date from the 15th century.
Champy gained a new dynamism in 1990 when it was acquired by Henri and
Pierre Meurgey and Pierre Beuchet. All three men are associate
directors of DIVA (a distribution company closely connected with the
greatest vineyards and estates in Burgundy) and can rely on the wealth
of experience of Henri Meurgey, who has been oenologist winemaker and
wine-broker for 35 years.
Burgundy’s oldest wine house Maison Champy will host you for a
tour and tasting in their historic 18th century cellars. The tasting
will be followed by a candlelight dinner which will be commented by a
wine professional.
9h00: Meeting with your personal Tours & Détours guide at the hotel.
Departure from the hotel for the Côte de Beaune in a private bus.
Tour in the vineyard of the Côte de Beaune: Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet,...
The southern portion of the Côte, a twenty kilometre strip
between Ladoix-Serrigny and the Maranges, is home to the greatest white
wines in the world as well as highly-reputed reds.
The fame of the Côte de Beaune vineyards is reflected in the
historic and economic importance of the town of Beaune, regarded as the
centre and capital of wine-growing Burgundy. It was in Beaune in the
18th century that the first great wine merchants' firms - the "maisons
de négoce" - set up the headquarters from which they oversaw the
development of the Burgundian wine-trade into an enterprise of
world-wide scope.
Meursault Vineyard |
Wine-growing here is of great antiquity, dating from at least
Roman times. But it was in the early Middle Ages that the monks of
Cîteaux and Cluny developed the walled vineyards or "clos" which
retain their fame to this day. At the beginning of the 12th century the
abbots of Cîteaux built wine-cellars and at Meursault and
Aloxe-Corton, but perhaps the monks' most important contribution was to
have pioneered the concept of the "climat", a distinct parcel of
vine-growing land whose soil, situation and exposure conferred
recognizable typicity on the wines it produced. In the later Middle
Ages, under the independent Dukes of Burgundy, wine-growing flourished
and the splendour and wide-ranging diplomatic contacts of the ducal
court spread the fame of Burgundy's wines through the length and
breadth of Christendom.
Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Santenay... these are
just a few of the famous names proudly borne by the wines which issue
from these villages so favored by Nature and so long cherished by man.
Today the Côte de Beaune vineyards cover 4,800 hectares and
produce some 25 million bottles a year, two thirds red wines and one third whites.
Chardonnay Grapes |
They lie along the eastern edge of the Burgundian plateau,
though the slopes are less steep and less uniform than those of the
Côte de Nuits, broken up by coombes and little valleys whose
south-east facing slopes are the preferred sites. Gradients range from
2% to 20%, altitude from 200-300 metres. Three valleys which cut the
main axis at right-angles form extensions to the Côte at
Pernand-Vergelesses, Auxey-Duresses, and Saint-Aubin.
Above and behind the Côte de Beaune lies a plateau 390-450 metres
high cut into little hills by a network of small valleys. Here, on the
best-exposed sites, a score of villages tend a total of 410 hectares of
vines producing wines of the appellation Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes
de Beaune.
On the way, short stop in front of the renowned Montrachet vineyard...
Montrachet Vineyard |
The fame of Montrachet has had almost mythical significance and is recognised throughout the world.
But the origins of Montrachet go back much further: in the 13th
century, the Cistercian monks were given a few vines situated on the
"Mont chauve " or " Mont Rachaz " between Puligny-Montrachet (to the
north) and Chassagne-Montrachet (to the south).
Over the centuries, Montrachet, often called he " vigne blanche du
Seigneur” forged its identity thanks to the loving care of its
owners, amongst which the Comte de Clermont-Montoison who had acquired
these vineyards at the very same time as the Prince de Conti was making
an exceptional Grand Cru of Romanée Conti.
10h00 – 12h15: Visit and wine tasting at the Domaine J. Prieur in Meursault with the winemaker Nadine Gublin.
The Domaine owns 50 acres, exclusively classified Grands Crus and
Premiers Crus of the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune.
It is the only Domain in Burgundy that owns jointly substantial parcels
of Chambertin, Musigny, Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne, Corton
Bressandes, Echezeaux, among others.
12h30 – 15h00: Tasting lunch at the Domaine Olivier Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet.
Olivier Leflaive brothers |
In October 1984, Olivier Leflaive decided to create a new
renown for the wines of Burgundy with the help of his brother Patrick
and his Uncle Vincent. He had one ambitious objective in mind : to
apply all the " savoir-faire" acquired from the Domaine Leflaive to the
vinification of various different red and white Burgundy " appellations
". It was a natural progression for the young company of Olivier
Leflaive to set up a Domaine.
Example of what could be served for lunch: Burgundy Charcuterie, Bresse
Chicken Blanquette, regional cheeses platter, coffee...And several
wines to be tasted, such as: Meursault 1er cru, Puligny-Montrachet 1er
cru, Chablis 1er cru, Pommard 1er cru, Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru,
Montrachet ...
15h30 – 16h30: Back to Beaune for the guided visit of the Hospices de Beaune.
Hospices Roof |
The Hôtel-Dieu was born on 4 August 1443. The Hundred
Years War had recently been brought to an end by the signing of the
Treaty of Arras in 1435. The massacres, however, continued and the
"écorcheurs" ("skinners") were still roaming the countryside,
pillaging and destroying, provoking misery and famine.
The majority of the people of Beaune were declared destitute. Nicolas
Rolin, Chancellor of the Duke of Burgundy Philippe le Bon, and his wife
Guigone de Salins reacted by deciding to create a hospital for the
poor.
The hospital received its first patient on 1 January 1452. Elderly,
disabled, orphans, sick people, women about to give birth, the
destitute were all received and treated from the Middle Ages through to
the 20th century.
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Throughout all this time, the hospital radiated outwards and
federated other establishments in Pommard, Nolay, Meursault and Beaune
to constitute a veritable community which became known as the Hospices
de Beaune.
Today, the Hôtel-Dieu is a museum whose architectural splendour,
unspoilt since the 15th century, is only equalled by the very modern
ethic of the institution, which has never abandoned its original
mission, to provide care and relief for the destitute who are victims
of solitude or sickness. The income earned from the hiring out of
prestigious rooms, visits to the museum and its shop and open days at
the Hospices are used to improve the conditions of accommodation and
care, to modernise the general hospital and to conserve the heritage of
the institution.
16h30 – 17h30: Exclusive wine tasting at the Domaine of the Hospices de Beaune, with the winemaker.
One of the unique characteristics of the Hospices Civils de Beaune is their wine producing estate.
 |
All French hospitals are generally the owners of farms,
buildings, heath land or forests, which do not generally provide much
in the way of income. Sometimes these properties may even cost more
than they bring in. The Beaune institution, thanks to the donations and
legacies which have been made throughout its history, is the owner of
more than 60 hectares (150 acres) of vines.
Most of these vineyard plots are located in prestigious appellations.
They are nearly all first growths and great growths.
Although the wine-growing domain is over five centuries old, the auction only dates from 1859.
Hospices Annual Wine Auction |
Two days before the picturesque "sale by candle", the winetastings take place in the Hospices' fermenting cellars.
In the Hôtel-Dieu this activity reawakens all the charms of these
age-old cellars. A gala dinner in honour of Bacchus closes the
festivities, in the superb setting of the medieval Bastion.
The sale by auction of the wines of the Hospices de Beaune remains the
most famous annual charity event in the world and all the professionals
await it expectantly. In fact, this ceremony determines to some extent
the quality and value of the year's harvest for the whole of Burgundy.
18h00: Tasting dinner at the prestigious Maison Bouchard Père & Fils, preceded by a visit of the cellars.
 |
The House of Bouchard Père et Fils owns an exceptional
collection of over 50 000 bottles in the cellars dating back to 1950
and a unique collection of very rare 19th century bottles going back as
far as 1846 !
Jealously and preciously preserved, these bottles lie in the Bouchard
Père & Fils museum within the bastions of the former site of
the Château de Beaune which provide ideal cellars conditions
because they are protected by 7 metre thick walls. Moreover, the corks
of these "gems" are changed every 25 to 30 years to maintain the
exceptional quality.
This is a magical place, where time stands still, giving play to the
imagination and offering visitors a marvellous experience of discovery.
This prestigious estate owns 130 hectares, of which 12 hectares are
Grands Crus and 74 hectares are Premiers Crus, including:
Day 3
The Côte de Nuits
Hotel: Hotel Le Cep****
Meals: Breakfast, informal lunch in the cellar
Events:
Côte de Nuits discovery; visit of the estates Armand Rousseau and
Pierre Naigeon, wine tasting of some of the most extraordinary Burgundy
wines, visit of the cheese factory Gaugry. |
8h00: Meeting with your personal T&D’s guide at the
hotel. Departure for the Côte de Nuits, by bus.
8h00 – 9h30: Scenic route in the renowned wine-
making villages – Nuits Saint Georges, Vougeot, Vosne-
Romanée, Chambolle-Musigny, Gevrey-Chambertin.
On the way, stop at the Romanée-Conti vineyard and at
the Grands Crus crossing.
Domaine de la Romanee-Conti is without question the most famous estate
in Burgundy, if not the world, and arguably the greatest. The Domaine,
commonly known as DRC, is co-owned by the de Villaine and Leroy
families. The de Villaine half is shared among 10 different family
members, while on the other side Lalou Bize-Leroy and her sister
Pauline Roch-Leroy each own 25 percent of the domaine.
Romanee Conti |
The Domaine has 25 hectares of vineyards, all Grand Crus, including the jewel in the crown, the 1.8 hectare
monopole of Romanée-Conti. The DRC has one white wine
(Le Montrachet) and six reds (Romanee-Conti, La Tache,
Romanee St. Vivant, Richebourg, Grands Echezeaux and
Echezeaux). Yields are mind numbingly low and the
winemaking is traditional and perfectionist.
9h30 – 10h45: Visit of the Domaine Armand Rousseau in Gevrey-Chambertin.
The Domaine was started at the beginning of the century by
Armand Rousseau who, at his majority, inherited several plots of
vineyards in Gevrey Chambertin. Armand Rousseau was issued from a
family of small landowners, who were mainly vine
growers, coopers and local wine merchants.
The Domaine vineyards have a surface area of 13 ha 70,
of which 2 ha 21 are of Village Appellation, 3 ha 47 of 1er
Armand Rousseau |
Cru Appellation and 8 ha 01 of Grands Crus A.O.C., all
situated in the communes of Gevrey-Chambertin and Morey-Saint-Denis.
The vines are mostly very old with an average age of 40 to 45 years.
11h00 – 15h30: Tasting lunch at the Domaine Pierre Naigeon in Gevrey-Chambertin.
Wine tasting of some of the most extraordinary Burgundy wines which
have made this area so famous: several Grands Crus will be tasted, such
as Chambertin Echezeaux and Clos de Vougeot. The apogee of this tasting
will certainly be the very rare Romanée Conti Grand Cru from the
Domaine de la Romanée Conti!
The tasting will be conducted by our host, Pierre Naigeon, who is a winemaker and a wine "negotiant".
The wine tasting will be followed by an informal lunch in the cellar of
the Domaine Pierre Naigeon accompanied by some cold regional
specialties: gougères, jambon persillé, home-made
terrines, Burgundy cheeses platter, pain d’épices.
15h30 – 16h30: Walking tour in the vineyard; initiation to
the work in the vineyard and the growing methods used
today.
16h30 – 17h45: Visit of the family-owned cheese factory Gaugry, followed by a tasting.
Excellent Burgundy cheeses are produced here, such as
Epoisses, Ami du Chambertin, Soumaintrain, Délice de
Pommard (with mustard seeds). Some other cheeses can be tasted such as the Cheese from the Abbey of Citeaux.
Since 1946 Raymond GAUGRY has been fabricating a cheese
that appeals to the local wine makers and enhances the tasting
of their "grand crus" to such an extent that it was baptized
"L’Ami du Chambertin".
Carrying on the local cheese making tradition, they offer the cheese
"Epoisses"- also presented in a container under the name "La Cuvee".
Conceived in the sixteenth century by the Cistercian monks, Epoisses
cheese continues, to this day, to promote the burst of Burgundian
gastronomical tradition.
18h20: Back to Beaune.
20h00: Dinner free.
Day 4
Gourmet Burgundy
Hotel: Hotel Le Cep****
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Events: Gourmet tour of Beaune, visit of the mustard mill Fallot, cooking lessons in a 1* Michelin rated restaurant. |
9h00: Meeting with your Tours & Détours’ personal guide at the hotel.
Departure for a tour of the Beaune market.
10h00 – 11h00: Walking gourmet tour of Beaune.
An original approach of Burgundy’s gastronomy with short stops at
specialties’ shops such as Hess, Bouché, Mulot &
Petitjean; small tastings will be organised in several shops.
11h15 – 12h30: Visit on site of the mustard mill Fallot.
 |
The Fallot Mustard Mill, the last independent Burgundy
Moutarderie (mustard mill) has decided to open its doors in 2003,
opening up a traditional know-how that dates back over 160 years to the
World...
Fallot has been an independent Burgundian family business since 1840,
and is the only one still housed on its original premises, a few steps
away from the Hospice of Beaune. Marc
Désarménien, the grandson of the man who took over the
company, is currently in control of the business, while his father still plays an active role in the company.
The Fallot Mustard Mill continues to prepare its mustard using recipes
that have been jealously guarded over several generations, milling the
mustard seed with stone grinders, thus conserving all the gustatory
qualities of the grain in the paste. The visit will include a tasting
of different mustards’ products.
12h30 – 14h00: Free lunch in Beaune.
All afternoon: Cooking lessons at the Hostellerie de Levernois with
Chef Vincent Maillard, with personalized embroidered apron and
personalized diploma and recipies.
Chef Levernois |
A river runs through the four-hectare park where, among the
willows, ash trees and Louisiana cedars, the silhouette of a white,
slate-roofed house comes into view. In this idyllic setting, a mecca
for any epicurean, the luminous rooms are lulled by the rythm of a
waterwheel...
Since the beginning of the 2004 summer, the Hostellerie has had new
owners. Susanne and Jean-Louis Bottigliero now welcome you into the
vineyard... and there's also been a change in the kitchen, where
Vincent Maillard now presides over the stove. He began here sixteen
years ago and after stints at La Belle Otéro in Cannes, La
Pyramide in Vienna and the Louis XV in Monaco, he oversaw the kitchens
of the famous Bastide de Moustier near the Verdon Gorges for five
years.
Maillard is not yet thirty, and was one of the youngest chefs in France
to hold a Michelin star. The kitchen garden provides the restaurant
with seasonal vegetables, contributing to a cuisine that is rich in
flavour and authenticity. Vincent Maillard used to organise cooking
lessons while he was working with Alain Ducasse at the Bastide de
Moustiers. He loves sharing his passion for food and would be happy to
welcome you in his new "Palais de la Gastronomie".
 |
19h30: Gastronomic dinner at Levernois restaurant (1* Michelin rated restaurant).
Day 5
Hotel: Hotel Le Cep****
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Events: Visit of the estates Clos de Tart, Domaine de la Vougeraie, Jean Grivot and Prince de Merode, |
9h15: Meeting with your Tours & Détours’ personal guide.
9h45 – 11h15: Visit and tasting in a Premium estate of the Côte de Nuits.
11h40 – 14h00: Visit, tasting and lunch at Domaine Jean Claude Boisset in Nuits Saint Georges.
Jean-Claude and Claudine Boisset acquired their first vineyard in 1964,
and after 40 years still keep a watchful eye on Le domaine's destiny.
Le Domaine brings together several properties acquired over the years
offering a wide range of wines including Premier crus and Grand Crus
from most of the
important appellations in the Cote d’Or.
14h20 – 16h00: Visit of the Domaine Jean Grivot in Vosne Romanée.
Jean Grivot Winery Father & Son |
The Grivots originally came from the Jura, but established
themselves in Burgundy at the time of the French revolution. They first
settled in Nuits-St.-Georges, later moving into Vosne-Romanée.
While Burgundian tradition concentrates primarily on vineyards and
viticulture, the Grivot family realized quite early on that oenology
was equally important in producing fine wines, and Gaston Grivot was
among the first growers to earn an oenology degree from the University
of Dijon in the 1920's.
16h30 – 18h00: Visit of Domaine Prince de Merode in Ladoix-Serrigny.
Chateau Serrigny |
Prince Florent de Mérode is an old
nobleman, who lives in the Château de Serrigny, bought by his
ancestors in the 1700s. Didier Dubois, who took over in the vineyards
in 1996, has also assumed control in the cellar. The combination of
healthier vines, much less use of chemicals and reduced yields, when
combined with careful temperature-controlled fermentation in the new
cuvérie, has resulted in a marked change in the quality and
finesse of the wines.
8.00pm: Dinner free.
Day 6
Hotel: Hotel Le Cep****
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Events: Visit of the Louis Jadot Estate and the Joseph Drouhin Estate. |
8h00: Meeting with your Tours & Détours’ personal guide at the hotel.
8h15 – 15h00: Visit tasting and lunch at Louis Jadot estate in Beaune.
Founded in 1859 by Louis Henry Denis Jadot, Maison Louis Jadot
has always been situated in the heart of the vineyards, in the center
of Beaune. Recently installed in an old building from the 19th century,
the offices are situated above very old cellars from the 14th century
connected with the "Couvent des Jacobins" cellars. This "Couvent" is
the ideal venue for receiving visitors at Maison Louis Jadot. Visit
will f their cooperage, new winery, and their old cellars beneath
the Couvent de Jacobins.
15h30: Visit and tasting at a Joseph Drouhin estate in Beaune.
As a result of its historic location deep in the heart of Beaune, its
size and quality of vineyards, the expertise resulting from years of
experience in the cultivation of vines and the vinification of fine
wines, Maison Joseph Drouhin is uniquely placed to uphold the true
Burgundian style.
Since 1880, Maison Joseph Drouhin has built a reputation for
wines that primarily reflect their individual terroir and vintage.
Faithfully reserving the authentic individuality of each appellation,
the Drouhin firm constantly strives for wines of breed, finesse and
elegance.
Afternoon: Free time for shopping in Beaune.
19h30: Departure for Chagny.
20h00: Gastronomic dinner at Lameloise restaurant (a 2* Michelin rated restaurant).
For a century the Lameloise family has lived on the little
marketplace at Chagny, in a beautiful house fragrant with
polished wood. It was the Troisgros brothers who opened up horizons for the young Jacques at the start of his career.
In future, things will never be the same again. Gone are the
archetypes of the Grande Cuisine, heavy with butter, cream or white
sauce.
From snail ravioli to cherries in bitter, via squabs with crumbs of
truffle... Nothing is easier than to describe the Lameloise cooking:
everything is absolutely delicious.
Certainly the best grande table of the area.... An experience not to be missed!
Day 7
Chablis
Hotel: Hotel Le Templiers****
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Events: Medieval village of Flavigny sur Ozerain, Chablis, visit of the Laroche Estate. |
9h30: Meeting with your Tours & Détours’ personal guide at the hotel.
Chablis Vineyards |
9h45: Departure for Chablis.
10h30 – 11h15: Visit of the village Flavigny sur Ozerain.
Renowned as one of the most beautiful villages of France this
magical Medieval village should not just be visited because of its
recent Hollywood fame - as the film Chocolate was filmed... it has many
treasures to reveal to you!
Harvest Celebration |
Surrounded by a wall and scented by the sweet fragrances which
emanate from the small factory producing the famous Flavigny aniseed
balls, the town seems to step straight out of the Middle Ages. Its
narrow, winding streets are sometimes bordered by turreted houses with
stone staircases, sometimes by more humble dwellings which attest to
the former wine-growing activity that was so much a part of the
area’s activity in the past..
Noon: Visit and tasting at Laroche Estate.
Michel Laroche is the fifth generation of a family that has been making Chablis since 1850. The estate is situated in the
sixteenth century monastery of l'Obédiencerie (after whom his
top Chablis is named) is thought to be the birthplace of
Chablis, where monks first made the wine.
13h00 – 15h00: Lunch at Laroche Estate.
Transfer to Reims.
18h00: Arrival in Reims. Check-in for 3 nights at the Hotel Les Templiers ****
Dinner free.
Day 8
Champagne discovery - Reims
Hotel: Hotel Le Templiers****
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Events: Reims, visit of the Ruinart Champagne House, Champagne vineyards |
 |
9h30: Meeting with your Tours & Détours’ personal guide at the hotel.
The story of the world-famous
Champagne appellation started a long
time ago with an exceptional terroir that produced wines like no other.
Over the centuries, man’s talent transformed the wines’
characteristic effervescence into
the purest expression of a very special delicacy. The area of wine
production is strictly defined in accordance with the law of 22 July
1927 and accounts for approximately three per cent of the total area
under vine in France.
The Montagne de Reims is a large, fairly flat plateau, thickly carpeted
with vineyards that slope gently towards the valleys of the Vesle and
the Ardre to the north and the Marne to the south.
The Marne Valley extends 100kms, from Saâcy-sur-Marne in the
département of Seine-et-Marne to Tours-sur-Marne beyond Epernay.
The vineyards line the flanks of the valley that slope more or less
gently towards the banks of the river and nestle into smaller valleys
on either side.
Peter's inthronisation in the "Ordre de Coteaux de Champagne" in 1997 |
The Côte des Blancs, so-called because it is almost exclusively
devoted to white grapes, is a cliff at right angles with the ontagne de Reims south of Epernay.
The area under vine in the region of Vitry-le-François, remains confined to a few communes only.
The Côte des Bar extends the wine-growing area to the south.
Those around Villenauxe-la-Grande are in effect the continuation of the
southern section of the Marne vineyard, but Montgueux in the immediate
vicinity of Troyes also cultivates a few dozen hectares of vines.
Mainly, however, they lie clustered around Bar-sur-Seine and
Bar-sur-Aube plus a few dozen hectares of plantings to the east in the
département of the Haute-Marne.
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Whether situated in the larger towns or set among the
vineyards, the Champagne Houses are magical places. They tell the story
of Champagne from the day they were built to the present, and one
learns just how much these companies have contributed over the years to
the exceptional quality of these wines, as well as their worldwide
presence.
The Houses were the first Ambassadors of Champagne in France and to the
whole world. This is why they are proud of their traditions and gladly
take visitors around the cool chalk cellars.
Ruinart Cellars |
10h00 – 15h30: Extensive personalised tour of Ruinart Champagne House followed by a lunch.
Ruinart, founded in 1729, has an impressive staircase leading
the way into a spectacular network of cellars more than 30 metres below
ground. These cellars include chalk pits listed as historic monuments.
The Ruinart cellars are often compared to underground cathedrals just
lit by a pale shaft of light where a constant and natural temperature
of 11°C prevails.
15h30 – 16h30: Scenic route through the Champagne vineyards.
16h30 – 17h30: Guided tour of Reims.
A cultural walking tour of the city’s historic sites,
including one of the greatest cathedrals of France, both for its’
history and architecture, the Notre Dame Cathedral, St. Remi Basilica
(necropolis of the first kings of France), the Gallo-Roman
Cryptoportique, the Cathedral Treasury at Tau Place
(monuments listed as World Heritage).
20h00: Dinner at leisure.
Day 9
Hotel: Hotel Le Templiers****
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Events: Reims, visit of the Champagne Louis Roederer, Mumm's Champagne |
9h30: Meeting with your Tours & Détours’ personal guide at the hotel.
10h00 – 12h00: Visit of the Champagne Louis Roederer.
Roederer Champagne |
Roederer started in 1760 as Dubois Père & Fils, a Champagne firm which was acquired by Louis Roederer in 1833.
A key event in the success of Roederer was breaking the Russian market.
As a result the blue-blooded Russians found themselves partial to the
odd glass of Roederer Champagne, so much so that Tsar Alexander II
requested that a special cuvée be created; one fitting to grace
the table of a royal family. And so Louis Roederer II produced Cristal,
regarded by many as the first prestige cuvée. What made this
sweet blend so distinctive was the packaging, being bottled in clear
crystal rather than ordinary glass. It was a business coup for the
Roederer family, although unfortunately one that backfired.
Noon: Lunch at leisure.
14h30 – 16h00: Visit and tasting at a Premium Champagne Estate.
16h30: Visit and tasting of Mumm's Champagne.
As a major player in the world of champagne, Mumm has been
instrumental in the success of this outstanding product across the centuries.
It has been behind advances in viniculture and high-profile initiatives
which have helped establish champagne's international reputation while
respecting tradition and keeping pace with changing tastes and
fashions.
The history of the House of Mumm covers a century and a half of
passion, dynamism and the pursuit of excellence. It is this tradition
that has given rise to the renown and worldwide appreciation of Mumm
and the famous Cordon Rouge.
19h30: Candlelight dinner at Mumm’s.
Day 10
Hotel: Hotel Westminster****
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Events: Reims, visit of a family-owned chocolatier,
Visit of Champagne Krug and Champagne Veuve Cliquot. |
8h30: Meeting with your Tours & Détours’ personal guide at the hotel.
9h00 – 9h45:
Visit of Petite Friande, small family-owned chocolatier in Reims,
established since 1832. It is located close to the Cathedral. This is
where the renowned "Bouchon au Marc de Champagne et Chocolat Noir" was
created in 1951...
The visit will of course be followed by a chocolate tasting of, for
example, liqueur-filled chocolate champagne bubbles and corks.
10h00 – 11h30: Visit of Champagne Krug.
As you step into the courtyard at Rue Coquebert, you enter a world with
a different concept of time. At Krug the legend of champagne simply
remains a reality of everyday life. It is not by chance that each
bottle of Krug could be viewed as a masterpiece in its own right. The
Krug family insists on using time honoured methods when producing
champagne to guarantee the highest possible quality. More than just
good champagne, Krug is a lifestyle.
12h00 – 16h00: Visit, tasting and lunch at Champagne Veuve Clicquot.
The matriarch of the brand, Madame Clicquot (1777-1866) was
one of the first businesswomen of the modern era. When her husband
died, she took over his small Champagne house, a widow ("veuve") at the
age of 27. She made important technological innovations (including the
invention of riddling) and led the house to world renown. She is
perhaps most famous for sending a secret shipment of her Champagne to
Russia in 1814, in defiance of Napoleon's blockade!
The tasting at Veuve Cliquot will include their signature blend La Grande Dame.
End of the tour.
16h00 – 18h00: Transfer to Paris.
Night at the Hôtel Westminster**** in Paris.
Day 11
6h45: Departure from the hotel.
7h30: Arrival at CDG airport.
This 11 Day, 10 Night programme includes:
CALL US
6 nights at the Hotel **** Le Cep in Beaune in double occupancy with breakfast;
Download registration form here